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Privatize the Peace Process

By

Glenn Yago and

James Prince

Updated Aug. 10, 2005 12:01 a.m. ET

Next week's Israeli disengagement from Gaza has sparked a national crisis in both Israel and the Palestinian Authority. In Israel, Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's resignation on Sunday and his direct challenge to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon mirror the daily internal challenges faced by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Unfortunately, both leaders are more preoccupied with internal rivalries than with ironing out details between each other for a successful economic transition in Gaza -- one that might support the next steps to bypass future conflict.